There comes a time when love may fade away in a relationship or a realization may set in that the common goals and dreams are not viable any longer. When a couple recognizes that these issues have crept in, it is advisable to split up than languish in a relationship which has nothing more to offer.

Breaking up usually either leads to oscillating between excesses of drinking and pining to being an empty shell of a human. The other course can be a healthier one which helps the person move on with their lives with lesser emotional baggage. It is necessary that no loose threads are left hanging and neither of the couple nurses any resentment for the other.

We bring you 7 healthy ways to cope with a break-up.

Delivering The News - It is neither honorable nor honest to drop the bomb and disappear, or to tell her through a text message – and definitely not by changing your relationship status in social networking sites, which is a new phenomenon nowadays. Cowardice as such is a thing to be denigrated. An upfront honest discussion is of crucial importance for both to be able to bury the bad feelings.

Giving Notice - It is wiser to prepare for the break up by giving your partner hints and putting forth your doubts about the future of the relationship. So that when you finally do break up, you can let her down easy and it won’t come as a shock to her.

Avoiding Blame - Take the line “I feel” rather than “You are”. For instance, saying “I feel neglected when you bring your work home with you” carries the same message, but in a non-accusatory manner, than saying “You are a workaholic and always too busy with your workload”. Both parties need to look at the causes and issues in a distanced manner, and definitely not partake of the blame game.

Twisting The Truth - It may be chivalrous to take up the entire blame oneself and say “You are too good for me” or “I don’t deserve you”, but if you know that is not the truth, don’t say it. Any other lie on the same trajectory is to be avoided likewise.

Good Lovers, Bad Friends? - Provided that the break-up occurs with a mature and mutual decision, and there is no vengefulness on the side of either party, there is no reason why the communications cannot be maintained. Calling up your ex-girlfriend to wish her on her birthday, or even generally enquiring about her well-being is not necessarily a sign of wanting to get back, but of a caring attitude that need not die with the relationship.

Love On The Rebound - Because a relationship has ended does not mean that it was a bad relationship; just that it was not meant to be a long-lasting one. Once the relationship has ended, hopefully amicably; there is still the pain of separation to deal with. And even while eschewing the other serious physical and psychological aspects, there is always the emotional void that one tries filling up by getting together with the next girl that comes along. It is important to avoid any such affairs before one has properly healed.

Focus On ‘Other’ Things - Try indulging in interests for which you never had time or opportunity before – photography, writing, travel and so on. Avoid any excess and focus on good nutrition and regular exercise. When you feel better physically, it does you good mentally as well. Try avoid places where you had been to before with your partner initially, if the pain is still raw.

‘Time heals all wounds’ – the adage was never so true. In a generation that puts more emphasis on convenience and compatibility than romance, a clean break is certainly and practically possible.

Twisting The Truth - It may be chivalrous to take up the entire blame oneself and say “You are too good for me” or “I don’t deserve you”, but if you know that is not the truth, don’t say it. Any other lie on the same trajectory is to be avoided likewise.